假如你是李华，你的好友王琳在雅安市中学生英语作文比赛中荣获一等奖。请你根据以下内容，给她写一封祝贺信。

内容包括：1. 向她表示祝贺；

2. 表达你的愉悦之情与赞美之意；

3. 请她介绍提高英语写作能力的方法。

注意：1. 词数100左右；

2. 开头和结尾已为你写好，但不计入总词数；

3. 可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

参考词汇：雅安市中学生英语作文比赛the English Composition Contest for Middle School Students of Yaan

Dear Wang Lin,

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua

假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处错误，每句中最多有两处。错误涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。

增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号(Λ)，并在其下面写出该加的词。

删除：把多余的词用斜线(＼)划掉。

修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。

注意：1．每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；

2．只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。

I was in college where my father passed away. One evening, a man visited me and  inquires about my studies. I told him I didn’t want to continue my college study anymore. He reminded me of how my father had sent me to best college in our city. Did I want to fulfill his father’s dream or did I want to be calling a failure? I wept and said I did want to do my best and I just couldn’t concentrate. He gave me all the encouragements I needed to be able to carry on. His gently voice did wonders and I decided to study hardly and complete my college education.

阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。

A young man, while traveling through a desert, came across a spring of clear water. 1. water was sweet. He filled his leather container so that he could bring some back to an elder 2. had been his teacher. After a four-day journey, the young man 3. ( present ) the water to the old man. His teacher took a deep drink, smiled 4. ( warm ), and thanked his student for the sweet water. The young man went home 5. a happy heart.

After the student left, the teacher let another student taste the water. He spit it out, 6. (say) it was awful. Obviously, it was no longer fresh because of the old leather container. He asked his teacher,“Sir, the water was awful. Why did you pretend 7. (like) it ?”

The teacher replied,“You tasted the water. I tasted the gift. The water was simply the container for an act of 8.（kind）and love. Nothing could be 9.  (sweet). ”

We understand this lesson best when we receive gifts of love from children. 10. it is a cheap pipe or a diamond necklace, the proper response is appreciation. We love the idea within the gift rather than the thing.

    I should know. I have been doing this for 20 years. Why is it that I need a sign to remind me?

Every other week in my neighborhood we place either recycled bottles or paper out with our garbage. There is a ____ alongside the road that says“This is bin week”or “This is paper week”．The schedule is simply changed every other week. But I can never ____ which week is which. Every week，I make a(n) ____ to look for the sign.

There was a period a few months ago when no one changed the sign.

I had ____ emotions. I was confused，angry and concerned. Confused because I didn’t know what to do. ____ because someone should have changed it！Concerned because，after ____ that“someone”for almost twenty years，I ____ that perhaps something had happened to that“someone”．

Then，yesterday I finally saw the man who ____ the sign. I slowed down and wanted to tell him how much I ____ what he did. I didn’t stop in time ____ I found that the traffic sign said“The Next Exit Is 2km”. So I drove as the traffic sign  ____ .

By the time I got back，the man was gone. I felt so  ____. I should have stopped alongside the road and just said “thank you”．I pulled over in front of the sign and thought about how many times in my life I ____ a sign to tell me what to do. I was ____  that all too often I missed an ____ because I was looking for a sign. Today I wanted to tell“someone”how ____ I think their efforts are but missed the opportunity.

So，I wrote a ____ and placed it next to the sign.

If you have been ____ to move forward towards a dream，say ____ to someone who lends you a hand. This may be the sign you’ve been looking for.

The note ____，“This is do it now week.”

1.A.ban B.remark C.graph D.sign

2.A.glance B.remember C.analyse D.consider

3.A.purpose B.decision C.ambition D.effort

4.A.strong B.strange C.mixed D.simple

5.A.Annoyed B.Surprised C.Puzzled D.Excited

6.A.searching for B.checking in C.relying on D.figuring out

7.A.understood B.complained C.wondered D.worried

8.A.made B.replaced C.covered D.removed

9.A.praised B.awarded C.appreciated D.refused

10.A.but B.because C.so D.if

11.A.indicated B.stood C.followed D.transformed

12.A.cheerful B.meaningful C.regretful D.worthwhile

13.A.looked for B.came across C.looked through D.put up

14.A.reminded B.warned C.requested D.persuaded

15.A.appointment B.opportunity C.approval D.exchange

16.A.unacceptable B.unbearable C.inspirable D.valuable

17.A.note B.schedule C.composition D.text

18.A.struggling B.seeking C.desiring D.hesitating

19.A.greetings B.thanks C.sympathy D.respect

20.A.writes B.tells C.says D.teaches

We are all faced with challenges constantly in every area of our lives.  1 The truth is that you will have to deal with difficult problems throughout your life, whether it is in your personal life or career. Most of us get really afraid and run away from problems because we don’t want to accept reality. Running away from your problems is the worst thing you can do to deal with the challenges you are faced with. Here are some tips for you on learning how to deal with everyday challenges.Please bear in mind that you shouldn’t overact when coming across challenges. Overacting to a problem will cause you to make bad decisions. 2  Next time you are faced with a challenge, stay calm so you can make smarter decisions.  3  If you cannot accept reality, you will feel very frustrated with your life. Once you can accept reality, you will be able to be calmer and think more clearly about how to get a step closer towards your goals every day.Many people make a habit of blaming others for all their problems. They fail to take full responsibility for the decisions they have made in life. The more you blame others for the challenges you are faced with, the more you will make people dislike you and not want to be around you.  4 Don’t compare your lifestyle with others. Of course, it is really difficult not to compare ourselves with other people. However, the more often we do that, the more frustrated we will feel. 5 The key thing to remember is that you create your own story and success in life.

    The color of food might affect just how much you want to eat them，but what about the birds in your neighborhood？Would they care what color their food is？Try this out for a science fair project，or just to learn something new while making your local birds happy.

Begin this experiment with the question“What color of birdseed（鸟食），if any，will birds like the most?”, and then make a hypothesis (假设) based on your question. An example might be“Birds will eat more green birdseed than other colors of birdseed.”

You should get several bird feeders. Purchase birdseed that is very light in color. To color the birdseed, pour it into a bowl and then add food coloring that you can purchase from the store. Mix them up well with a spoon and continue to add coloring until all the seed is colored. You should sample at least a few colors and have one feeder with seed that has not been colored—this is called the control and it will give you something to compare your results to. Now just hang them up outside in the same location，and wait for your feathered friends to show up. This works best in an area where birds are used to feeding from a feeder—it can take birds over a week to find new feeders.

Observe your bird feeders whenever possible，and keep track of how much seed is in each bird feeder each day. A ruler is helpful for this. You might also want to take pictures of the feeders and keep track of what kind of birds visit each feeder. Over time，you should be able to see if one color of seed gets eaten more than others.

Once your experiment is done，you will be able to go back to your hypothesis and see if it is correct. Remember, it’s not bad if your hypothesis was wrong. The main thing is that you’ve learned something from your experiment，and hopefully you had some fun doing it.

1.What’s the purpose of this experiment?

A.To see what color birds like most.

B.To make local birds happy.

C.To see if the color of food affects birds.

D.To find how local birds feed themselves.

2.What’s the second step for this experiment?

A.Observing bird feeders. B.Raising a question.

C.Collecting all the data. D.Making a hypothesis.

3.The underlined words“feathered friends”in Paragraph 3 refer to       .

A.feeders B.birds

C.neighbors D.locals

4.What is the most important about the bird feeders?

A.They are filled with some water. B.They are placed in secret places.

C.They are painted in different colors. D.They are all the same size and type.

    If you could design your own school and study whatever you wanted, what would you choose to learn?

This isn’t an unlikely question for students at Monument Mountain Regional High School, who are taking part in an activity called the Independent Project. The program is a special school within the Massachusetts public high school that’s completely run by students - no teachers, parents, or adults are allowed - and they’re in charge of deciding their whole curriculum (课程).

These teens’ homework and what they study in the classroom are all totally up to them. Charles Tsai, a journalist, made a 15-minute film about the project that shows the wide variety of activities different students join.

Students aren’t taking this lightly - instead of reacting irresponsibly (不负责任地) to the freedom to design their own studies, they’re dealing with their own interests by writing poetry (诗歌) collections, learning instruments and taking flight lessons.

The program is this: On Mondays students come up with questions in relation to one of their school subjects, then they spend the rest of the week researching and coming up with possible conclusions to these questions. On Fridays, they present this information to their classmates.

“I think the more choices we have in our school, the more students we will help develop into the kind of citizens that we need,”Principal (校长) Marianne Young explains in the film.

In the video, teens express their satisfaction with the program because it holds different kinds of learners, even those who don’t always succeed in a traditional study situation.

“I have difficulty in reading and writing. School has always been a big problem for me,” one student named Sergio explains in the video. “If it were not for this program, I don’t know if I’d be graduating - I don’t know where I’d be right now. I think this has really been my savior (救星) and got me through the last two years of high school.”

1.What is the Independent Project about?

A.Various activities for students. B.Student-centered curricula.

C.A self-designed school. D.Teacher-free classes.

2.How does the program work?

A.Teachers work out a curriculum for students.

B.Students research topics they put forward.

C.Teachers work together with students.

D.Students serve as teachers in turn.

3.What’s Marianne Young’s attitude towards the project?

A.Curious. B.Doubtful.

C.Uncertain. D.Optimistic.

4.What do we know about Sergio?

A.He finds it hard to graduate.

B.He has bitter memories of high school.

C.He feels grateful to the Independent Project.

D.He performs badly in the Independent Project.

    David Unaipon was an inventor and writer. He was the first Aboriginal (土著的) Australian to write published books. He also worked hard to make life better for Aboriginal people.

David Unaipon was born in South Australia, in 1872. As a young man, he loved to read and was interested in science and music. He thought a lot about new ways to fix engineering problems. Between the years 1909 and 1944, Unaipon made nine important inventions. He also made drawings for a helicopter design. He got the idea from the Australian boomerang (回飞镖) and the way it moved through the air. This happened in 1914, before we had helicopters.

Unaipon lived most of his life in Adelaide and worked for the Aborigines’ Friends’ Association. He worked and travelled around southeastern Australia for fifty years. Sometimes, while travelling from town to town, he was told he couldn’t stay in a hotel because he was black, so he understood the problems of racism (种族主义).

In 1925, Unaipon became the first Aboriginal writer to be published. His first published writing was an article in Sydney’s Daily Telegraph newspaper. The article had the title:“Aboriginals: Their Traditions and Customs”. He wrote many other articles for newspapers and magazines, getting publicity about the rights of Aboriginal people. He also wrote about the need for white and black people to work together and the need for equal rights for both black and white Australians. He was well educated in both cultures, and in 1929 he helped with a government survey of Aboriginal health and interests.

David Unaipon died in 1967 at the age of 95, in the same year that Aboriginal people were first counted as part of Australia’s population. In 1995, David Unaipon’s picture was put on the Australian fifty-dollar note, with a drawing of one of his inventions.

1.Which of the following can describe David Unaipon when he was young?

A.He was calm. B.He was brave.

C.He was patient. D.He was creative.

2.What can we learn about David Unaipon’s helicopter design?

A.It was the model for modern helicopters.

B.It was a copy of another helicopter.

C.It was based on a local tool.

D.It was done in his 30s.

3.What do we know about David Unaipon as a writer?

A.He was the first Aboriginal writer.

B.He was concerned about racial inequality.

C.He finished most of his writings while travelling.

D.He had his writings published mainly in newspapers.

4.What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A.David Unaipon died an unexpected death.

B.David Unaipon was proud of his inventions.

C.David Unaipon’s contributions were recognised.

D.David Unaipon’s drawing abilities were appreciated.

Where Is Spring Break

Where is Spring Break going to be？The options are endless. Do you want to get your blood pumping from thrilling travels？Look no further！These tours and destinations will keep you on your toes all week long.

Panama：This underrated destination is a littleknown secret of the most travelers! Through this tour you’ll get to hike，snorkel (浮潜) and explore all the best sights this beautiful country has to offer! Eight days tours for $250/day.

Canada：This diverse country is full of options. Explore the East of Canada and visit cities such as Montreal，Quebec or Toronto. If you’re feeling adventurous，explore the Western part of the country with a Canadian Rockies Tour. During this twelve days tour you will hike a glacier to beautiful scenery and wander through postcardworthy villages. Tours to Canada for $200/day.

Iceland：Check off one of the seven wonders of the world with a tour of the Northern Lights and Golden Circle. Spend seven days full of adventure like hiking glaciers，snowshoeing through Thingvellir National Park，relaxing in the Geysir Hot Springs and of course experiencing the glory of the Northern Lights! Seven days tours for $300/day.

South Africa：Discover the diverse culture and wildlife that makes up South Africa. Your tour plan includes a journey along the coast known as “Rainbow Nation”. Here you will enjoy beautiful scenery, a hunting travel through Addo Elephant National Park and the wildlife in Tsitsikarnma National Park. Nine days tours for $230/day.

1.What is the similar characteristic of the travels mentioned in the text?

A.Exciting. B.Risky.

C.Educational. D.Environmental.

2.According to the text，Panama is a destination which      .

A.is not famous to most travelers B.you can go to for enjoying surfing

C.offers an option to hunt in the park D.has diverse culture and wildlife

3.Which destination costs tourists the most money?

A.Panama. B.Canada.

C.Iceland. D.South Africa.

假设你是卓越中学学生会主席李华。你们学校将举办一次英语话剧比赛（drama competition）,希望你能够邀请附近某大学的外教Ms. Smith来做评委（judge）。请参照以下比赛通知给她发一份邮件。

英语话剧比赛：

主题：人与自然

时间：7月15日下午2：00-5：00

地点：101教室

参赛选手：10名学生

联系人：Li  H ua (电话44876655)

注意：1.词数：100词左右；

2.可以适当增加细节使行文连贯。

Dear Ms. Smith,

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

With best wishes,

Li Hua

短文改错

假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句不超过两个错误。 错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。 增加： 在缺词处加一个漏字符号（^），并在其下面写出该加的词。 删除： 把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。

修改： 在错的词下面划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。 注意： 1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词。

2. 只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。

Last weekend, I helped my grandparents prepare for our trip to Xi'an. On Saturday morning, together with them, I searched the Internet for the train schedule, the weather in Xi'an, or some hotel informations. In the afternoon, I went to the train station and manage to buy two tickets for them since there was a long queue. After dinner, I packed all the things that might be need into suitcase. And the next morning, I went to the station to see them away off. Wave goodbye to them on the platform, I felt very happy for them and wished them a safer journey.

1.2.3.4.5.

6.7.8.9.10.

阅读下面短文,在空白处填入１个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

A Thanksgiving Day story in the newspaper told of a school teacher who asked her class of first graders to draw a picture of something they were thankful for.She thought of how little these children from poor neighborhood 1.（actual）had to be thankful for.But she knew that most of them would draw pictures of turkeys or tables2.food.The teacher was taken back with the picture Douglas handed in﹣a small childishly hand!

But whose?hand?The class was3.（puzzle）by the abstract drawing."I think it must be the hand of God4.brings us food,"said one child."a farmer,"said another,"because he5.（feed）the turkeys."Finally,when the others were at work,the teacher6.（bend）over at Douglas' desk and asked whose hand it was."It's your hand,Teacher,"he said in a low voice.She remembered that frequently at break she had taken Douglas,a small lonely child by7.hand.She often did that with the8.（child）.But it meant so much to Douglas.Perhaps this was everyone's Thanks﹣giving,not for the material things9.（give）to us but for the chance,in whatever small way,10.（give）to others.

    After my husband's Chinese kung fu school was open for about a week, my daughters and I decided to see how it was going. We were deeply __________ to see there wasn't a single student in the school. My husband was standing __________ in the school waiting for customers.

We had to __________ ! We decided to be his __________ until he got some "real" ones. We thought it was better to have five people in the school __________ just him if a passerby looked in the window. He started teaching us __________ and forms. We found that some of them actually were __________ to ballet moves but much more difficult. It was kind of fun but __________, too! We

were attracted by then, so we __________ as learners.

______ , we got actual students in our school. There were many men and teenage boys, and we _______lots of other girls and women as well. One special student was a __________ sevenyear-old girl. She was going __________ and had other health problems. With my daughters' help and __________, this little girl got to be a real kung fu kid. Although she is now a sightless, grown adult, I'm confident she can __________ herself if she needs to.

I am __________ to say my daughters are more confident in every area of their lives. This experience taught me to __________ things I never would have __________ before kung fu. I haven't been __________ in all of my efforts, but I'll give almost __________ of niceness a try!

1.A.bored B.upset C.nervous D.moved

2.A.cheerfully B.aggressively C.alone D.forever

3.A.act B.joke C.appear D.learn

4.A.families B.workmates C.consultants D.students

5.A.more than B.in place of C.rather than D.in case of

6.A.speeches B.moves C.manners D.designs

7.A.useful B.accessible C.similar D.comparable

8.A.challenging B.astonishing C.relaxing D.inspiring

9.A.got together B.signed up C.broke away D.stayed on

10.A.Eventually B.Unfortunately C.Obviously D.Regularly

11.A.discovered B.joined C.united D.attracted

12.A.traditional B.homeless C.disabled D.typical

13.A.blind B.deaf C.lame D.stupid

14.A.threat B.encouragement C.adjustment D.approval

15.A.protect B.recognize C.feed D.educate

16.A.stubborn B.proud C.sensitive D.tentative

17.A.apply to B.give up C.try out D.hold back

18.A.appreciated B.predicted C.ignored D.considered

19.A.helpful B.successful C.cheerful D.enthusiastic

20.A.some B.either C.none D.any

Food is a very important and necessary part of our lives.

We eat food because we need it to live. It gives us the nutrients that we need for our bodies to grow.1.If we are happy, we eat; if we are sad, we eat; boredom, depression, and loneliness are other reasons that we eat.2.When we have friends or family over, we usually have some form of food to offer them, whether it is a light snack or a full meal.

3.Many of us like certain foods because we have been raised eating those foods. In many cases, whatever our parents eat or like to eat is what we eventually enjoy eating. The region where we live as well as economics determines much of our food selection. If we lived in China, we would eat a lot of rice because it is what is grown there.4.

Food is also a part of our many celebrations. However, the way that food is used in celebrations varies from home to home, and country to country.5.To understand why different foods are used in different celebrations, we need to understand a little about culture and how it could affect the foods we use.

A. Also, we use food for our social needs.

B. Very often, we eat food for psychological reasons.

C. Nowadays many people choose to eat healthy food.

D. It is affected by different cultures around the world.

E. So our background and environment play a great role in what we eat.

F. Cheap food in one country may be quite expensive in another country.

G. The food that we choose to eat is selected for a number of different reasons.

    Having your nose in a book might seem a little anti-social at times — but reading could actually make you a kinder, more considerate person, a study has found. Readers were more likely to act in a socially acceptable manner, while those who preferred watching television came across as less friendly and less understanding of

others' views, researchers said.

123 participants in the study were quizzed on their preferences for books, TV and plays at Kingston University, London. They were then tested on how much they considered people's feelings and whether they acted to help others. Researchers told the British Psychological Society conference in Brighton yesterday that fiction fans showed more positive social behavior.

Readers of drama and romance novels were also empathic, while lovers of experimental books showed the ability to see things from different directions. Comedy fans scored the highest for relating to others. The study suggested reading allows people to see different points of view, enabling them to understand others better.

The researchers added, “Exposure to fiction relates to a range of empathetic abilities. Engaging with fictional prose and comedy in particular could be key to improving people's empathetic abilities.”

However, the authors warned the study did not prove cause-and-effect. So it could be that reading causes positive behavior, or it could be that thoughtful, well-mannered people are more likely to prefer reading. So it is a good idea to pick up a book to begin your travel with the author. Each author will show how they would react to certain situations or confrontations through their characters. Everyone can view the same situation differently, and from 1001 different angles. The more you read, the much better you can understand other peoples' opinions.

1.What do we know about reading according to Paragraph 1?

A.It contributes more to one's anti-social role.

B.It is of rare benefit to readers.

C.It is related to one's social position.

D.It can add to one's social adaptability.

2.Researchers tested 123 participants in order to find         .

A.the way to improve reading skills

B.the influence of their preferences

C.the places to get new books

D.the time of reading books

3.What does the underlined word "empathic" in Paragraph 3 mean?

A.Understanding. B.Mad.

C.Sorrowful. D.Delighted.

4.What is the purpose of the passage?

A.To react to certain situations.

B.To understand peoples' opinions.

C.To persuade people to read.

D.To show how to begin travels.

    We were sitting in her classroom, giggling each other and talking about the latest information of the day. Mrs Virginia De View, whose physical appearance made her an easy target for snickers (窃笑) and cruel jokes among students, cleared her throat and asked us to be silent.

“Now, Mrs.” Virginia De View said smiling, “we are going to discover our professions.” The class seemed to be greatly surprised. We were only 13 and 14 years old!

“Yes, you will all be searching for your future professions.”she said.

“You will have to do a research paper on your upcoming career. Each of you will have to interview someone in your field, plus give an oral report.”

Finally, I picked print journalism, and interviewed a true-blue newspaper reporter in the flesh. After a few days, I gave my oral report totally from memory in class. I got an A on the entire project.

Years later, I forgot all about Virginia De View and the careers we selected. I was in college looking around for a new career. but with no success. Then I remembered Virginia De View and my desire at 13 to be a journalist. And I called my parents. They didn't stop me. They just reminded me how competitive the field was. This was true. But journalism did something to me; it was in my blood. For the past 12 years, I've had the most incredible and satisfying reporting career .

I get asked all the time: “How did you pick journalism?”

“Well, you see, there was this teacher...” I always start out. Virginia Deview will probably never know without her help, I would not have become a journalist and a writer. I wonder now how many other students benefited from that career project.

I believe that when people reflect back over their school days, there will be their very own Virginia De View. Perhaps you can thank her before it's too late.

1.What did the students think of Mrs Virginia's project in her class?

A.Harmful B.Crazy

C.Beneficial D.Flexible

2.What is Virginia Deview’s project?

A.Career planning B.Oral ability

C.Paper research D.Interviewing skills

3.What can be inferred about the author?

A.He keeps in touch with Mrs. Virginia.

B.He practiced as a journalist in college.

C.His parents were against his decision.

D.He enjoys working as a journalist

4.What is the author’s intention of this passage?

A.To express gratitude to Mrs. Virginia.

B.To give an oral report on selecting a career.

C.To show challenges he me as a reporter.

D.To look for his previous classmates.

    Runners need to move 15 per cent faster on a treadmill(跑步机) to burn the same number of calories as jogging outdoors, research reveals.

Researchers from Milan University analyzed the difference between running outdoors and on a treadmill in 15 physically fit males with an average age of 21. The participants completed a sprint(短距离快速跑) for 30 seconds followed by 30 seconds of recovery for a total of 15 minutes both outdoors and on a treadmill. Oxygen use and exercise intensity were measured after both types of running.

The findings were published in the journal of Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism. Results revealed that when on a treadmill, runners use significantly lower amounts of oxygen, suggesting less effort is required. Therefore runners must move 15 percent faster on a treadmill to burn the same amount of calories as exercising outdoors, the study stated. The study authors wrote, "A 15 per cent increase in running speed during a period of stopping and starting often in high intensity treadmill training session is the best possible solution to reaching the same physiological responses as an outdoor training session.

Although the study did not speculate why treadmill running appears to be needing less effort and energy, previous research suggests the moving belt of a treadmill moves joggers forward, causing them to move faster. Exercising indoors also means gym-goers do not have to fight with steep hills or wind resistance.

Michael Silverman, director of rehabilitation and wellness(康复科) at Northern Westchester Hospital in New York, said, “Outdoors, you are changing surfaces constantly, fighting the wind, and making quick and sudden starts and stops, which will lead to increased caloric burn.” Shake magazine reported. "And while we don't recommend running in extreme temperatures, it is worth noting that your body burns extra calories to regulate your body temperature," he says.

1.Where can you find the specific findings of the study?

A.In Paragraph 2 B.In Paragraph 3 C.In Paragraph 4 D.In Paragraph 5

2.What can we know about the study?

A.Its participants were all 21 years old .

B.Michael is one of the researchers.

C.It revealed why treadmill running consumes less calories .

D.It took oxygen use and exercise intensity into consideration .

3.Why does running on a treadmill seem easier according to the study ?

A.The runners need less energy.

B.The runners can usually get enough oxygen .

C.The moving belt pushes joggers forward .

D.The intensity of running on the treadmill is more stable .

4.What does the underlined word “speculate” mean ?

A.conclude B.research C.oppose D.doubt

    The New York See It All Tour is exactly what it sounds like: an all-inclusive guided tour of New York City.

Central Park

One of the most famous parks in the world, Central Park is a man-made wonder. Not only is it the first public park built in America, but it is also one of the most frequently visited parks, with over 25 million guests per year. Set in the middle of busy Manhattan, its grounds serve as a safe harbor, not only for athletes, and musicians but also for lots of migratory birds each year. One can spend an entire peaceful day wandering its grounds, gazing upon nearly 50 fountains, monuments, and sculptures or admiring its 36 bridges.

Hudson River Park

Hudson River Park is a waterside park on the Hudson River that extends from 59th Street south to Battery Park in the New York City district of Manhattan. Bicycle and pedestrian paths, including the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, span the park north to south, opening up the waterfront for the public to relax. The park includes tennis and soccer fields, children’s playground, dog run, and many other features.

Washington Square Park

Washington Square, located in the heart of Greenwich Village, is a very popular and often crowded square. People from all backgrounds gather to this large square dotted with trees.

Central Park Zoo

The Central Park Zoo is a small 6.5-acre zoo located on Central Park in New York City. The zoo began in the 1860s, making it the first official zoo to open in New York. The zoo was improved in 1934, with the addition of many new buildings ranged in a quadrangle around the sea lion pool. Finally, the zoo was repaired in the mid-1980s and reopened in 1988, replacing the old-fashioned cages with naturalistic environments.

1.Which park is set in the heart of Greenwich Village?

A.Central Park.

B.Hudson River Park.

C.Central Park Zoo.

D.Washington Square Park.

2.What can we learn about Central Park?

A.It is primarily an artificial park.

B.It is the first public park built in the world.

C.It was the most crowded park when first built.

D.It especially attracts pedestrian and artists.

3.When was the first official zoo in New York repaired for the first time?

A.In the 1860s. B.In 1934.

C.In the mid-1980s. D.In 1988.

    Salvador Dali (1904—1989) was one of the most popular of modern artists. The Pompidou Centre in Paris is showing its respect and admiration for the artist and his powerful personality with an exhibition bringing together over 200 paintings, sculptures, drawings and more. Among the works and masterworks on exhibition the visitor will find the best pieces, most importantly The Persistence of Memory. There is also L’Enigme sans Fin from 1938, works on paper, objects, and projects for stage and screen and selected parts from television programmes reflecting the artist’s showman qualities.

The visitor will enter the World of Dali through an egg and is met with the beginning, the world of birth. The exhibition follows a path of time and subject with the visitor exiting through the brain.

The exhibition shows how Dali draws the viewer between two infinities (无限). ＂From the infinity small to the infinity large, contraction and expansion coming in and out of focus: amazing Flemish accuracy and the showy Baroque of old painting that he used in his museum-theatre in Figueras,＂ explains the Pompidou Centre.

The fine selection of the major works was done in close collaboration (合作) with the Museo Nacional Reina Sofia in Madrid, Spain, and with contributions from other institutions like the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg.

1.Which of the following best describe Dali according to Paragraph 1?

A.Optimistic. B.Productive.

C.Generous. D.Traditional.

2.What is Dali’s The Persistence of Memory considered to be?

A.One of his masterworks. B.A successful screen adaptation.

C.An artistic creation for the stage. D.One of the beat TV programmes.

3.How are the exhibits arranged at the World of Dali?

A.By popularity. B.By importance.

C.By size and shape. D.By time and subject.

4.What does the word ＂contributions＂ in the last paragraph refer to?

A.Artworks. B.Projects.

C.Donations. D.Documents.

Papa, as a son of a dirt-poor farmer, left school early and went to work in a factory, for education was for the rich then. So, the world became his school. With great interest, he read everything he could lay his hands on, listened to the town elders and learned about the world beyond his tiny hometown.“There’s so much to learn,” he’d say. “Though we’re born stupid, only the stupid remain that way.” He was determined that none of his children would be denied (拒绝) an education.

Thus, Papa insisted that we learn at least one new thing each day. Though, as children, we thought this was crazy, it would never have occurred to us to deny Papa a request. And dinner time seemed perfect for sharing what we had learned. We would talk about the news of the day; no matter how insignificant, it was never taken lightly. Papa would listen carefully and was ready with some comment, always to the point.

Then came the moment—the time to share the day’s new learning.

Papa, at the head of the table, would push back his chair and pour a glass of red wine, ready to listen.

“Felice,” he’d say, “tell me what you learned today.”

“I learned that the population of Nepal is ....”

Silence.

Papa was thinking about what was said, as if the salvation of the world would depend upon it. “The population of Nepal. Hmm. Well….” he’d say. “Get the map; let’s see where Nepal is.” And the whole family went on a search for Nepal.

This same experience was repeated until each family member had a turn. Dinner ended only after we had a clear understanding of at least half a dozen such facts.

As children, we thought very little about these educational wonders. Our family, however, was growing together, sharing experiences and participating in one another’s education. And by looking at us, listening to us, respecting our input, affirming our value, giving us a sense of dignity, Papa was unquestionably our most influential teacher.

Later during my training as a future teacher, I studied with some of the most famous educators. They were imparting what Papa had known all along—the value of continual learning. His technique has served me well all my life. Not a single day has been wasted, though I can never tell when knowing the population of Nepal might prove useful.

1.What do we know from the first paragraph?

A. The author’s father was born in a worker’s family.

B. Those born stupid could not change their life.

C. The town elders wanted to learn about the world.

D. The poor could hardly afford school education.

2.The underlined word “it” in the second paragraph refers to “________”.

A. one new thing B. a request

C. the news D. some comment

3.It can be learned from the passage that the author________.

A. enjoyed talking about news

B. knew very well about Nepal

C. felt regret about those wasted days

D. appreciated his father’s educational technique

4.What is the greatest value of “dinner time” to the author?

A. Continual learning. B. Showing talents.

C. Family get-together. D. Winning Papa’s approval.

5.The author’s father can be best described as ________.

A. an educator expert at training future teachers

B. a parent insistent on his children’s education

C. a participant willing to share his knowledge

D. a teacher strict about everything his students did

    My color television has given me nothing but a headache. I was able to buy it a little over a year ago because I had my relatives give me money for my birthday instead of a lot of clothes that wouldn’t fit. I let a salesclerk fool me into buying a discontinued model. I realized this a day later, when I saw newspaper advertisements for the set at seventy-five dollars less than I had paid. The set worked so beautifully when I first got it home that I would keep it on until stations signed off for the night. Fortunately, I didn’t got any channels showing all-night movies or I would never have gotten to bed.

Then I started developing a problem with the set that involved static (静电) noise. For some reason, when certain shows switched into a commercial, a loud noise would sound for a few seconds. Gradually, this noise began to appear during a show, and to get rid of it. I had to change to another channel and then change it back. Sometimes this technique would not work, and I had to pick up the set and shake it to remove the sound. I actually began to build up my arm muscles (肌肉) shaking my set.

When neither of these methods removed the static noise, I would sit helplessly and wait for the noise to go away. At last I ended up hitting the set with my fist, and it stopped working altogether. My trip to the repair shop cost me $62, and the set is working well now, but I keep expecting more trouble.

1.Why did the author say he was fooled into buying the TV set?

A.He got an older model than he had expected.

B.He couldn’t return it when it was broken.

C.He could have bought it at a lower price.

D.He failed to find any movie shows on it.

2.Which of the following can best replace the phrase “signed off” in Paragraph 1?

A.ended all their programs B.provided fewer channels

C.changed to commercials D.showed all-night movies

3.How did the author finally get his TV set working again?

A.By shaking and hitting it. B.By turning it on and off.

C.By switching channels. D.By having it repaired.

4.How does the author sound when telling the story?

A.Curious B.Anxious

C.Cautious D.Humorous

B

When her five daughters were young, Helene An always told them that there was strength in unity (团结). To show this, she held up one chopstick, representing oneperson. Then she easily broke it into two pieces. Next, she tied several chopsticks together, representing a family. She showed the girls it was hard to break the tied chopsticks. This lesson about family unity stayed with the daughters as they grew up.

Helene An and her family own a large restaurant business in California. However, when Helene and her husband Danny left their home in Vietnam in 1975, they didn't have much money. They moved their family to San Francisco. There they joined Danny's mother, Diana, who owned a small Italian sandwich shop. Soon afterwards, Helene and Diana changed the sandwich shop into a small Vietnamese restaurant. The five daughters helped in the restaurant when they were young. However, Helene did not want her daughters to always work in the family business because she thought it was too hard.

Eventually the girls all graduated from college and went away to work for themselves, but one by one, the daughters returned to work in the family business. They opened new restaurants in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Even though family members sometimes disagreed with each other, they worked together to make the business successful. Daughter Elisabeth explains, "Our mother taught us that to succeed we must have unity, and to have unity we must have peace. Without the strength of the family, there is no business."

Their expanding business became a large corporation in 1996, with three generations of Ans working together. Now the Ans' corporation makes more than $20 million each year. Although they began with a small restaurant, they had big dreams, and they worked together. Now they are a big success.

1.Helene tied several chopsticks together to show ______.

A.the strength of family unity

B.the difficulty of growing up

C.the advantage of chopsticks

D.the best way of giving a lesson

2.We can learn from Paragraph 2 that the Helene An family ______.

A.started a business in 1975

B.left Vietnam without much money

C.bought a restaurant in San Francisco

D.opened a sandwich shop in Los Angeles

3.What can we infer about the five daughters?

A.They did not finish their college education.

B.They could not bear to work in the family business.

C.They were influenced by what Helene taught them.

D.They were troubled by disagreement among family members.

4.Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?

A.How to Run a Corporation

B.Strength Comes from Peace

C.How to Achieve a Big Dream

D.Family Unity Builds Success

    At thirteen, I was diagnosed (诊断)with a kind of attention disorder. It made school difficult for me. When everyone else in the class was focusing on tasks, I could not.

In my first literature class, Mrs. Smith asked us to read a story and their write on it, all within 45minutes. I raised my hand right away and said, “Mrs. Smith, you see, the doctor said I have attention problems. I might not be able to do it.”

She glanced down at me through her glasses, “you are not different from your classmates, young man. ”

I tried, but I didn’t finish the reading when the bell rang. I had to take it homie.

In the quietness of my bedroom; the ‘story suddenly all became clear to me. It was about a blind person, Louis Braille. He lived in a time when the blind couldn’t get much education. But Louis didn’t give up. Instead, he invented a reading system of raise dots(点), which opened up a whole new world of knowledge to the blind.

Wasn’t I the “blind”in my class; being made to learn like the “sighted” students? My thoughts spilled out(溢出)and my pen started to dance. I completed the task within 40 minutes. Indeed, I was not different from others; I just needed a quieter place: If Louis could find his “Way out of his problems, why should I ever give up?”

I didn’t expect anything when I handed in my paper to Mrs.Smith, so it was quite a surprise when it came back to ‘me the next day-. with an “A”on it. At the bottom of the paper were these words:. “See what you can do when you keep trying?”

1.The author didn’t finish the reading in class because             .

A. He was new to the class

B. He was tried of literature

C. He had an attention disorder

D. He wanted to take the task home

2.What do we know about Louis Braille from the passage?

A. He had good sight

B. He made a great invention.

C. He gave up reading

D. He learned a lot from school

3.What was Mrs. Smith’s attitude to the author at the end of the story?

A. Angry

B. Impatient

C. Sympathetic

D. Encouraging

4.What is the main idea of the passage?

A. The disabled should be treated with respect.

B. A teacher can open up a new world to students.

C. One can find his way out of difficulties with efforts.

D. Everyone needs a hand when faced with challenges.

    One day when I was 12, my mother gave me an order: I was to walk to the public library, and borrow at least one book for the summer. This was one more weapon for her to defeat my strange problem — inability to read.

In the library, I found my way into the “Children’s Room.” I sat down on the floor and pulled a few books off the shelf at random. The cover of a book caught my eye. It presented a picture of a beagle. I had recently had a beagle, the first and only animal companion I ever had as a child. He was my secret sharer, but one morning, he was gone, given away to someone who had the space and the money to care for him. I never forgot my beagle.

There on the book’s cover was a beagle which looked identical to my dog. I ran my fingers over the picture of the dog on the cover. My eyes ran across the title, Amos, the Beagle with a Plan. Unknowingly, I had read the title. Without opening the book, I borrowed it from the library for the summer.

Under the shade of a bush, I started to read about Amos. I read very, very slowly with difficulty. Though pages were turned slowly, I got the main idea of the story about a dog who, like mine, had been separated from his family and who finally found his way back home. That dog was my dog, and I was the little boy in the book. At the end of the story, my mind continued the final scene of reunion, on and on, until my own lost dog and I were, in my mind, running together.

My mother’s call returned me to the real world. I suddenly realized something: I had read a book, and I had loved reading that book. Everyone knew I could not read. But I had read it. Books could be incredibly wonderful and I was going to read them.

I never told my mother about my “miraculous” (奇迹般地) experience that summer, but she saw a slow but remarkable improvement in my classroom performance during the next year. And years later, she was proud that her son had read thousands of books, was awarded a PhD in literature, and authored his own books, articles, poetry and fiction. The power of the words has held.

1.The author’s mother told him to borrow a book in order to_____.

A. encourage him to do more walking B. let him spend a meaningful summer

C. help cure him of his reading problem D. make him learn more about weapons

2.The book caught the author’s eye because_____.

A. it contained pretty pictures of animals

B. it reminded him of his own dog

C. he found its title easy to understand

D. he liked children’s stories very much

3.Why could the author manage to read the book through?

A. He was forced by his mother to read it.

B. He identified with the story in the book.

C. The book told the story of his pet dog.

D. The happy ending of the story attracted him.

4.What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A. The author has become a successful writer.

B. The author’s mother read the same book.

C. The author’s mother rewarded him with books.

D. The author has had happy summers ever since.

5.Which one could be the best title of the passage?

A. The Charm of a Book B. Mum’s Strict Order

C. Reunion with My Beagle D. My Passion for Reading

Nothing could stop Dad. After he was put on disability for a bad back, he bought a small farm in the country, just enough to grow food for the family. He planted vegetables, fruit trees and even kept bees for honey.

And every week he cleaned Old Man McColgin's chicken house in exchange for manure(肥料). The smell really burned the inside of your nose. When we complained about the terrible smell, Dad said the stronger the manure, the healthier the crops, and he was right. For example, just one of his cantaloupes filled the entire house with its sweet smell, and the taste was even sweeter.

As the vegetables started coming in, Dad threw himself into cooking. One day, armed with a basket of vegetables, he announced he was going to make stew(炖菜).Dad pulled out a pressure cooker and filled it up with cabbages, eggplants, potatoes, corns, onions and carrots. For about half an hour, the pressure built and the vegetables cooked. Finally, Dad turned off the stove, the pot began to cool and the pressure relief valve sprayed out a cloud of steam. If we thought Dad's pile of chicken manure was bad, this was 10 times worse. When Dad took off the lid, the smell nearly knocked us out.

Dad carried the pot out and we opened doors and windows to air out the house. Just how bad was it? The neighbors came out of their houses to see if we had a gas leak!

Determined, Dad filled our plates with steaming stew and passed them around. It didn’t look that bad, and after the first wave had shut down my ability to smell, it didn’t offend the nose so much, either. I took a taste. It would never win a prize in a cooking competition, but it was surprisingly edible, and we drank up every last drop of soup!

1.Why did Dad clean Old Man Mocolgin’s chicken house regularly?

A. To earn some money for the family. B. To collect manure for his crops.

C. To get rid of the terrible smell. D. To set a good example to us.

2.What can we infer about Dad’s stew?

A. It is popular among the neighbors. B. It contains honey and vegetables.

C. It looks very wonderful. D. It tastes quite delicious.

3.What does the underlined word “offend” in the last paragraph mean?

A. To attract. B. To upset. C. To air. D. To shut.

4.What can we learn about Dad form the text?

A. He is an experienced cook. B. He is a troublesome father.

C. He has a positive attitude to life. D. He suffers a lot from his disability.

When the dog named Judy spotted the first sheep in her life, she did what comes naturally. The four-year-old dog set off racing after the sheep across several fields and, being a city animal, lost both her sheep and her sense of direction. Then she ran along the edge of cliff( 悬崖) and fell 100 feet, bouncing off a rock into the sea.

Her owner Mike Holden panicked and celled the coastguard of Cornwall, who turned up in seconds . Six volunteers slid down the cliff with the help of a rope but gave up all hope of finding her alive after a 90-minute search.

Three days later, a hurricane hit the coast near Cornwall. Mr. Holden returned home from his holiday upset and convinced his pet was dead. He comforted himself with the thought she had died in the most beautiful part of the country.

For the next two weeks, the Holdens were heartbroken . Then, one day, the phone rang and Steve Tregear, the coastguard of Cornwall, asked Holder if he would like his dog bark.

A birdwatcher, armed with a telescope, found the pet sitting desperately on a rock. While he sounded the alarm, a student from Leeds climbed down the cliff to collect Judy.

The dog had initially been knocked unconscious(失去知觉的)but had survived by drinking water from a fresh scream at the base of the cliff. She may have fed on the body of a sheep which had also fallen over the edge. “The dog was very thin and hungry,” Steve Tregear said , “It was a very dog. She survived because of a plentiful supply of fresh water,” he added.

It was ,as Mr. Holden admitted, “a minor miracle(奇迹)”.

1.The dog Jody fell down the cliff when she was

A. rescuing her owner B. caught in a hurricane

C. blocked by a rock D. running after a sheep

2.Who spotted Judy after the accident?

A. A birdwatcher

B. A student from Leeds

C. Six volunteers

D. The coastguard of Cornwall

3.What can we infer from the text?

A. People like to travel with their pets.

B. Judy was taken to the fields for hunting.

C. Luck plays a vital role in Judy's survival.

D. Holden cared little where Judy was buried.

4.Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A. Miracle of the Coastguard.

B. Surviving a Hurricane.

C. Dangers in the Wild

D. Coming Back from the Dead.

Peter loved to shop used articles. Almost a month ago, he bought popular word game that used little pieces of wood with different letters on them. As he was purchasing it, the salesgirl said, “Uh, look, the game box haven’t even been opened yet. That might be worth some money. ”

Peter examined the box, and, sure enough, it was completely covered in factory-sealed plastic. And he saw a date of 1973 on the back of the box.

“You should put that up for auction (拍卖) on the Internet, and see what happens.”the salesgirl said.

“Yes, you’re right. People like something rare.” Peter agreed, “I can’t imagine there being very many unopened boxes of this game still around 40 years later.”

“Don’t forget to tell me if you sell it.” the salesgirl smiled.

“No problem.” Peter said.

After he got home, Peter went online to several auction websites looking for his game. But he couldn’t find it. Then he typed in the name of the word game and hit Search. The search result was 543 websites containing information about the changes of the game. Over the years, the game had been produced using letters in different sizes and game boards in different colors. He also found some lists of game fans looking for various versions of the game. Peter emailed some of them, telling them what he had.

Two weeks later, Peter went back to the shop.

“Hello. Do you still remember the unopened word game?”

The salesgirl looked at him for a second, then recognized him and said, “Oh, hi!”

“I’ve got something for you,” Peter said. “I sold the game and made $1,000. Thank you for your suggestion.” He handed her three $ 100 bills.

“Wow!” the salesgirl cried out. “Thank you, I never expected it.”

1.Which of the following best describes Peter’s word game?

A. It was made around 40 years ago.

B. It had game boards in different sizes.

C. It was kept in a plastic bag with a seal.

D. It had little pieces of wood in different colors.

2.What did the salesgirl probably think of Peter’s word game?

A. Old and handy.

B. Rare and valuable.

C. Classic and attractive.

D. Colorful and interesting

3.Peter got the names of the game fans from _________.

A. an auction

B. the Internet

C. a game shop

D. the second-hand shop

4.What happened at the end of the story?

A. Peter gave the girl $300 as a reward.

B. The salesgirl became Peter’s friend.

C. Peter returned the word game for $ 1,000.

D. The salesgirl felt confused to see Peter again.

5.What is the main theme of the story?

A. It’s important to keep a promise.

B. It’s great to share in other people’s happiness.

C. We should be grateful for the help from others.

D. Something rare is worth a large amount of money.

    What Theresa Loe is doing proves that a large farm isn’t a prerequisite for a modern grow-your-own lifestyle. On a mere 1/10 of an acre in Los Angeles, Loe and her family grow, can (装罐) and preserve much of the food they consume.

Loe is a master food preserver, gardener and canning expert. She also operates a website, where she shares her tips and recipes, with the goal of demonstrating that everyone has the ability to control what’s on their plate.

Loe initially went to school to become an engineer, but she quickly learned that her enthusiasm was mainly about growing and preparing her own food. “ got into cooking my own food and started growing my own herbs(香草)and foods for that fresh flavor,” she said. Engineer by day, Loe learned cooking at night school. She ultimately purchased a small piece of land with her husband and began growing their own foods.

“I teach people how to live farm-fresh without a farm,” Loe said. Through her website Loe emphasizes that ‘‘anybody can do this anywhere.” Got an apartment with a balcony (阳台)? Plant some herbs. A window? Perfect spot for growing. Start with herbs, she recommends, because “they’re very forgiving.” Just a little of the herbs “can take your regular cooking to a whole new level,” she added. “I think it’s a great place to start.” Then? Try growing something from a seed, she said, like a tomato or some tea.

Canning is a natural extension of the planting she does. With every planted food, Loe noted, there’s a moment when it’s bursting with its absolute peak flavor. “I try and keep it in a time capsule in a canning jar,” Loe said. “Canning for me is about knowing what’s in your food, knowing where it comes from.”

In addition to being more in touch with the food she’s eating, another joy comes from passing this knowledge and this desire for good food to her children: “Influencing them and telling them your opinion on not only being careful what we eat but understanding the bigger picture,” she said, “that if we don’t take care of the earth, no one will.”

1.The underlined word “prerequisite” (Para. 1) is closest in meaning to“      ”.

A. recipe B. substitute

C. requirement D. challenge

2.Why does Loe suggest starting with herbs?

A. They are used daily. B. They are easy to grow.

C. They can grow very tall. D. They can be eaten uncooked.

3.According to Loe, what is the benefit of canning her planted foods?

A. It can preserve their best flavor. B. It can promote her online sales.

C. It can better her cooking skills. D. It can improve their nutrition.

4.What is the “the bigger picture” (Para. 6) that Loe wishes her children to understand?

A. The knowledge about good food. B. The way to live a grow-our-own life.

C. The joy of getting in touch with foods. D. The responsibility to protect our earth

    Not so long ago, most people didn’t know who Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was going to become. She was just an average high athlete. There was every indication that she was just another Jamaican teenager without much of a future. However, one person wanted to change this. Stephen Francis observed then eighteen-year-old Shelly-Ann at a track meet and was convinced that he had seen the beginnings of true greatness. Her times were not exactly impressive, but even so, he sensed there was something trying to get out, something the other coaches had overlooked when they had assessed her and found her lacking. He decided to offer Shelly-Ann a place in his very strict training sessions. Their cooperation quickly produced results, and a few years later at Jamaica’s Olympic trials in early 2008, Shelly-Ann, who at that time only ranked number 70 in the world, beat Jamaica’s unchallenged queen of the sprint (短跑).

＂Where did she come from?＂ asked an astonished sprinting world, before concluding that she must be one of those one-hit wonders that spring up from time to time, only to disappear again without signs. But Shelly-Ann was to prove that she was anything but a one-hit wonder. At the Beijing Olympics she swept away any doubts about her ability to perform consistently by becoming the first Jamaican woman ever to win the 100 metres Olympic gold. She did it again one year on at the World Championships in Berlin, becoming world champion with a time of 10.73 — the fourth fastest time ever.

Shelly-Ann is a little woman with a big smile. She has a mental toughness that did not come about by chance. Her journey to becoming the fastest woman on earth has been anything but smooth and effortless. She grew up in one of Jamaica’s toughest inner-city communities known as Waterhouse, where she lived in a one-room apartment, sleeping four in a bed with her mother and two brothers. Waterhouse, one of the poorest communities in Jamaica, is a really violent and overpopulated place. Several of Shelly-Ann’s friends and family were caught up in the killings; one of her cousins was shot dead only a few streets away from where she lived. Sometimes her family didn’t have enough to eat. She ran at the school championships barefooted because she couldn’t afford shoes. Her mother Maxime, one of a family of fourteen, had been an athlete herself as a young girl but, like so many other girls in Waterhouse, had to stop after she had her first baby. Maxime’s early entry into the adult world with its responsibilities gave her the determination to ensure that her kids would not end up in Waterhouse’s roundabout of poverty. One of the first things Maxime used to do with Shelly-Ann was taking her to the track, and she was ready to sacrifice everything.

It didn’t take long for Shelly-Ann to realize that sports could be her way out of Waterhouse. On a summer evening in Beijing in 2008, all those long, hard hours of work and commitment finally bore fruit. The barefoot kid who just a few years previously had been living in poverty, surrounded by criminals and violence, had written a new chapter in the history of sports.

But Shelly-Ann’s victory was far greater than that. The night she won Olympic gold in Beijing, the routine murders in Waterhouse and the drug wars in the neighbouring streets stopped. The dark cloud above one of the world’s toughest criminal neighbourhoods simply disappeared for a few days. ＂I have so much fire burning for my country,＂ Shelly said. She plans to start a foundation for homeless children and wants to build a community centre in Waterhouse. She hopes to inspire the Jamaicans to lay down their weapons. She intends to fight to make it a woman’s as well as a man’s world.

As Muhammad Ali puts it, ＂Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them. A desire, a dream, a vision.＂ One of the things Shelly-Ann can be proud of is her understanding of this truth.

1.Why did Stephen Francis decide to coach Shelly-Ann?

A. He had a strong desire to free her family from trouble.

B. He sensed a great potential in her despite her weaknesses.

C. She had big problems maintaining her performance.

D. She suffered a lot of defeats at the previous track meets.

2.What did the sprinting world think of Shelly-Ann before the 2008 Olympic Games?

A. She would become a promising star.

B. She badly needed to set higher goals.

C. Her sprinting career would not last long.

D. Her talent for sprinting was known to all.

3.What made Maxime decide to train her daughter on the track?

A. Her success and lessons in her career.

B. Her interest in Shelly-Ann’s quick profit.

C. Her wish to get Shelly-Ann out of poverty.

D. Her early entrance into the sprinting world.

4.What can we infer from Shelly-Ann’s statement underlined in Paragraph 5?

A. She was highly rewarded for her efforts.

B. She was eager to do more for her country.

C. She became an athletic star in her country.

D. She was the envy of the whole community.

5.By mentioning Muhammad Ali’s words, the author intends to tell us that  　   　　　.

A. players should be highly inspired by coaches

B. great athletes need to concentrate on patience

C. hard work is necessary in one’s achievements

D. motivation allows great athletes to be on the top

6.What is the best title for the passage?

A. The Making of a Great Athlete

B. The Dream for Championship

C. The Key to High Performance

D. The Power of Full Responsibility

    Two things changed my life:  my mother and a white plastic bike basket. I have thought long and hard about it and it’s true. I would be a different person if my mom hadn’t turned a silly bicycle accessory into a life lesson I carry with me today.

My mother and father were united in their way of raising children, but it mostly fell to my mother to actually carry it out. Looking back, I honestly don’t know how she did it. Managing the family budget must have been a very hard task., but she made it look effortless. If we complained about not having what another kid did, we’d hear something like, “I don’t care what so –and –so got for his birthday, you are not getting a TV in your room a car for your birthday a lsvish sweet 16 party.” We had to earn our allowance by doing chores around the house. I can still remember how long it took to polish the legs of our coffee table.My brothers can no doubt remember hours spent cleaning the house .Like the two little girls growing up at the White House,we made our own beds (no one left the house until that was done)and picked up after ourselves.We had to keep track of our belongings ,and if something was lost ,it was not replaced.

It was summer and ,one day ,my mother drove me to the bike shop to get a tire fixed---and there it was in the window, White, shiny, plastic and decorated with flowers ,the basket winked at me and I knew ----I knew---I had to have it.

“It’s beautiful,” my mother said when I pointed it out to her,”What a neat basket.”

I tried to hold off at first ,I played it cool for a short while. But then I guess I couldn’t at and it any longer:“Mom, please can I please ,please get it? I ‘ll do extra chores for as long as you say, I’ll do anything ,but I need that basket,I love that basket.Please ,Mom .Please?”

I was desperate.

“You know,” she said ,gently rubbing my back while we both stared at what I believes was the coolest thing ever,” If you save up you could buy this yourself.”

“By the time I make enough it’ll be gone!”

“Maybe Roger here could hold it for you,” she smiled at Roger ,the bike guy.

“He can’t hold it for that long ,Mom .Someone else will buy it .Please, Mom,Please?”

“There might be another way,” she said.

And so our paying plan unfolded. My mother bought the beautiful basket and put it safely in some hiding place I couldn’t find. Each week I eagerly counted my growing saving increased by extra work here and there (washing the car ,helping my mother make dinner, delivering or collecting things on my bike that already looked naked without the basket in front).And then ,weeks later ,I counted ,re-counted and jumped for joy. Oh ,happy day ! I made it! I finally had the exact amount we’d agreed upon….

Days later the unthinkable happened. A neighborhood girl I’d played with millions of times appeared with the exact same basket fixed to her shiny ,new bike that already had all the bells and whistles. I rode hard and fast home to tell my mother about this disaster. This horrible turn of events.

And then came the lesson . I’ve taken with me through my life:” Honey, Your basket is extra-special,” Mom said, gently wiping away my hot tears.” Your basket is special because you paid for it yourself.”

1.What can we learn from the first two paragraphs?

A. The children enjoyed doing housework.

B. The author came from s well-off family

C. The mother raised her children in an unusual way

D. The children were fond of the US president’s daughters.

2.When the author saw the basket in the window, she         .

A. fell in love with it B. stared at her mother

C. recognized it at once D. went up to the bike guy

3.Why did the author say many “please” to her mother?

A. She longed to do extra work. B. She was eager to have the basket.

C. She felt tired after standing too long. D. She wanted to be polite to her mother.

4.By using“naked” (Paragraph 12),the author seems to stress that the basket was

A. something she could afford B. something important to her

C. something impossible to get D. something she could do without

5.To the author, it seemed to be a horrible turn of events that

A. something spoiled her paying plan

B. the basket cost more than she had saved

C. a neighborhood girl had bought a new bike

D. someone else had got a basket of the same kind

6.What is the life lesson the author learned from her mother?

A. Save money for a rainy day B. Good advice is beyond all price.

C. Earn your bread with your sweat D. God helps those who help themselves